NEW WAY OF OFFERING APPOINTMENTS SINCE 18/01/2010 - PLEASE READ!
IN JANUARY 2010 THE DOCTORS AT NEW HALL SURGERY WROTE A LETTER TO ALL OUR PATIENTS OF 16 YEARS OF AGE AND OVER, EXPLAINING THAT WE WERE INTRODUCING A NEW WAY OF OFFERING APPOINTMENTS. PLEASE SEE LETTER AND INFORMATION BELOW. WITH OVER 9300 PATIENTS WE REALISE THAT WE CANNOT PLEASE EVERYONE ALL THE TIME, BUT WE TRY TO PLEASE THE MAJORITY AND ARE ALWAYS WILLING TO SPEAK TO ANYONE WHO IS NOT HAPPY WITH ANY OF OUR SERVICES, TO TRY TO HELP. Click Here to read the letter >>>>>>
IF YOU ARE HARD OF HEARING OR DEAF, AND HAVE DIFFICULTIES USING A TELEPHONE, PLEASE LET US KNOW. WE WILL BE HAPPY TO MAKE OTHER ARRANGEMENTS FOR YOU TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS
What will happen when I telephone for an appointment?
When you telephone for an appointment you will usually be able to speak to a doctor straight away. If a doctor is not immediately available, a receptionist will take your number and the doctor will ring you back as soon as possible. The receptionist will tell you the approximate time the doctor will ring you back. It is very important that the number you give us is correct, and that you are available to take the returned call. The doctor will not continue to try to ring you back if you are unavailable. If you do not have a telephone and are calling from a public phone please tell the receptionist.
What will the doctor ask me?
First of all the doctor will ask you some details to identify you. The doctor will then ask you to tell them a little about what your medical problem is and why you need an appointment. This will help them to book you in with the right person. This may be a doctor, or it may be one of the nursing team. It may also be possible for the doctor to help you over the telephone, rather than asking you to come in.
When is the best time to telephone for an appointment?
If you need to see the doctor on the same day you are telephoning, please ring during the morning. The telephone lines are often very busy until around 9.30am. If you call after 9.30am you will still be offered an appointment and you may get to speak to a doctor much more quickly. If you would like to book an appointment in advance for another day you can call at any time of day.
Will I still be able to book appointments in advance?
Yes. We hope this new system will make it much easier for you to book appointments in advance and at a time best for you, after you have spoken to the doctor.
What if there is a particular doctor I would like to speak to?
If you wish to speak to a particular doctor and this doctor is not available straight away, you will be booked for a ‘ring back’ from them at a later time. The receptionist will let you know when this will be.
What if there is something I don’t want to discuss over the telephone?
That’s fine. You will still need to speak to a doctor for an appointment to be booked, but you do not need to give any details over the telephone you do not wish to. You will still be offered an appointment.
Will I still be able to book an appointment at the front reception desk?
No, but you will be able to request a telephone ‘ring back’ from a doctor.
Will I still be able to book an appointment using the internet?
If you use the internet to book your appointments you will still be able to do this for a TELEPHONE RING BACK appointment with the doctor of your choice. All appointments available on this site are for TELEPHONE RING BACK only.
Please do not attend surgery unless requested to do so by the doctor who calls you back. When booking a TELEPHONE RING BACK appointment a ‘Reason’ text box appears after you have selected an appointment. Please type in the telephone number you would like the doctor to ring you back on.
What if I am expecting a ring back from the doctor and they do not call?
If the telephone number you have given us is correct this should not happen. However, if the doctor has not called within an hour of the time you are expecting, please telephone the surgery to let us know.